She built a large online following claiming to be one of the world's most famous missing children. DNA proved otherwise -- twice -- and she kept going anyway.
The Claim
In February 2023, a Polish woman using the names Julia Wendel, Julia Faustyna, and later Julia Wandelt gained significant social media attention claiming to be Madeleine McCann, the British toddler who disappeared during a 2007 family vacation in Portugal. Wandelt pointed to a shared eye abnormality, a matching dimple, and gaps in her own childhood memories as supposed evidence, and said her parents had been evasive about her early years.
Her Family''s Response
Wandelt''s own family publicly disputed her claims, stating in a Facebook post that it was "obvious" she wasn''t Madeleine and describing years of declined mental health treatment. Polish police announced they had ruled out the connection days after her claims went viral.
The First DNA Test
A DNA test commissioned during this period found Wandelt to be of entirely Polish heritage with family ties to Lithuania and Russia, with no connection to British ancestry. She continued to publicly maintain her belief that she was Madeleine McCann despite the result, including in a subsequent televised interview.
Escalation to Stalking Charges
Rather than the claim fading, Wandelt continued contacting Madeleine''s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, between 2022 and February 2025, including repeated calls, messages, and an in-person appearance at their home. She was arrested at Bristol Airport in February 2025 and charged, alongside co-defendant Karen Spragg, with stalking and harassing the McCann family.
A Second, Definitive DNA Test
At her trial at Leicester Crown Court, forensic scientist Rosalyn Hammond testified that DNA taken from Wandelt during her arrest did not match a sample recovered from Madeleine''s childhood pillowcase, stating plainly that the two profiles could not belong to the same person.
Conviction
In November 2025, a jury found Wandelt guilty of harassing the McCann family; her co-defendant, Karen Spragg, was acquitted. Wandelt was sentenced to six months in prison, covered by time already served, along with a restraining order barring further contact with the McCanns. She faces possible deportation to Poland.
FAQ
Was Julia Wandelt ever confirmed to be Madeleine McCann?
No. Two separate DNA tests, including a direct comparison against Madeleine''s own DNA sample, definitively ruled this out.
What happened after the DNA test disproved her claim?
She continued contacting the McCann family for roughly three more years, ultimately leading to stalking and harassment charges.
What was Julia Wandelt''s sentence?
Six months in prison, covered by time already served, plus a restraining order and possible deportation to Poland.